Category Heath TIps

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This is just a serious update about the alarming increase of Parasite’s that are being found in our family pets. Over 20% of the tests have returned positive (that is according to one popular veterinarian facility in Clark County) and they have recommended making sure your family pet has a fecal test done once a year to make sure your dog, cat, and other pets are free from parasites. Please, call your Vet if you have any additional questions and know that this will extend the life of your family pets big time…!

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I have had a few individuals approach me over the last few days about what they should do with their dogs/cats or other pets when the fireworks start flying over the 4th of July weekend. In many cases, I am a huge advocate of natural remedies instead of tossing a few tranquilizers (read chemicals) down their pups gullet and ultimately finding out you damaged them because of the chemical or over dosed them producing a hurried rush to an ER Vet to have their stomachs pumped.

In many cases, the rule of thumb here is “common sense.” If you absolutely insist on using drugs on your animal please, please, PLEASE make sure that your Vet has condoned the use of the drug and prescribed it just for your animal. However, making things much easier on you and your pets, using essential oils, natural ways to comfort them make it so much easier at times. Here are a few things that I can recommend for you that can accomplish the same results without the risk of hurting your pet.

THunder jackets are new on the market, and if you don’t already have one, I have found a wonderful substitution that works very well, for all size of dogs.

If you are a essential oil user (like me) Using a small amount of Lavender and peppermint with a light base oil such as coconut oil you mix a tiny bit up and slowly massage it on to the tips of their ears, and on top of their heads near the bridge of the nose. These are calming oils that are used with infants as well (although I would not peppermint on a child or where your pet can lick it off) and place those in said areas about an hour or 2 before the fireworks start.

Take your pet into a room where the family is and either turn up your radio or TV to a point where you, as a human can barely hear all the noise. The pets hearing is much more keen than ours, but this will help them tune out the scary noises to watch and listen to the music that they are used to.

If you have crate trained your animal, this is probably the best time to break out the crate again placing in their favorite blanket and a few toys and then covering it with a heavy blanket to keep the pup calm in their familiar “den” where they will remain calm.

DO NOT allow your dog or cat outside unattended… The rate of animals lost or killed during the 4th of July festivities seems high, but I assure you, it’s not a number to scare you but to make you aware that you could easily be one of them. Please make sure you watch and tend to your pets vigilantly during this holiday weekend.

If you have any additional home remedies that have worked for you, but aren’t listed here, I would love to hear about them and them over to Ma! We all have to learn something new every day and well, why limit the ways we can help our furry family members during high anxiety holidays and weekends!

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I came across this article, that helps people understand the amazing work that dogs do for humans with Diabetes. Most people with these dogs are Type 1, an onset that is determined prior to age 30. I know far too many juvenile diabetics and alway say that having a dog to help their sugar levels. Have ‘lows’ is a horrible feeling and if not taken care of immediately, it is impossible to come out of it unscathed. It takes a lot out of a person. I am proud to say that my last dog came to his nose extremely naturally and would not only paw me, but my husband as well indicating so much for us that we may have never had the chance to deal with in a safe manner.

The one thing I am constantly asked about myself and my team mate Katana, is that “How do I get a service dog…?”

I have to be honest, and tell them the truth. Have you been diagnosed with a debilitating disease that is a struggle to maintain? are you willing to lose your independent and have a child (albeit a furry one) that you will continue to raise, play, TRAIN (yes I say train because training these K9’s NEVER stops!) and make sure that they are constantly seen by a vet for health issues and then there is the heartbreaking decision of giving up (retiring) your K9 for a new younger version.. and knowing you may not see them again…

It is extremely hard to have a K9 and after years of 24/7 service, having to say good bye. As a trainer myself, I adore the work, but it is also heart breaking to see pups age and slow down.

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I don’t always get food from Ma that doesn’t come from the big food bin near my bowl, but when she does supplement my dinner with different things, she has good knowledge of her do’s and dont’s about what I am supposed to have and what will make me sick. I have been having some tummy problems that are on and off and because Ma call’s me a “Billy Goat” she is watching my intake more now than ever. I recently got a hold of one of her unscented candles the other day so I won’t be doing that again… *grumbles*

Here is a picture from “Woofipedia” that is a good way to identify what is good and what is bad. Remember, as they say, everything in moderation!

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I recently saw this article regarding the idea of sending care packages to those K9s that serve faithfully next to their human partners. We always wonder and consider the stress that is placed on our human servicemen and women, but what about those four-legged ones that continuously work, tirelessly and without complaint?

Read this and tell me you don’t feel the urge to do your part to make their lives just a little bit easier….. I know Ma is considering it, and I hope you do too!

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This was recently shared on Facebook and is a great rule of thumb for our furrbabies… Please do not walk your dogs during the heat of the day and use this rule of thumb on how to know if it’s safe for their Tootsies or not!

Meanwhile, we have returned home after an extensive visit and had several days with my friend Ethel, and two of her siblings as well! I am bushed, and so is Ma, but as soon as I can get a fire under her, I ill have post the pictures and events of the visit! Come back soon to see those pics!

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Well, after doing some reading on the canine influenza virus that seems to be sweeping in from the Midwest, Ma thought I needed another shot…. So early this morning I was loaded up and taken down to the (wonders if I should say it…) the V…E…T…S…. (Yeah, still makes me shudder a bit) where I learned more about the strain that is invading the pups of the continent.

The vaccine that is being given now is the vaccine, like the hooman flu shot, that was used to attack a flu that swept through the country about 4-5 years ago and is not actually very effective for us pooches on this new strain that is doing some horrible damage. It has been very difficult for them to keep up with things, but the… (Gulps).. V.E.T… Says that the odds of me getting sick are lowered a bit. So just know that when you are getting the vaccine for your pup, know that it is not 100% foolproof and your own pet doctor (sounds so much better) should be giving you information and up to date information on what vaccine they are giving your pup.

Meanwhile, I got to see the most AMAZING Malamute! This special malamute was a Disney Dog in both 8 below and in Snow dogs and is now at the ripe old age of 12 years old. His handler, like my Ma, sure knew a lot about his fur-baby and when Maw saw him, she fell in love. It seems that this dog is double amazing because he has a genetic disorder that is very submissive and rarely shows itself, but this Malamute which NORMALLY should weigh in at about 80 pounds, is actually weighing in at over 150 pounds! A genetic element of “gigantism” hit him at about age 3 and when they started to see that he didn’t fit under the coffee table anymore and was growing AGAIN, they had taken him in and had him tested.

This old guy’s patience was so amazing and he even tolerated me prancing around him and ‘boxing’ with him lightly. The Handler’s name was from Colorado and that gave him and Ma some great stuff to talk about. Kind of wish Ma had had her camera with her so you could have seen the size of this guy. His paws alone were double the size of one of Ma’s fists, and his thick legs, about as thick as her calves…. I felt TINY!

I do hope that I get to bump into him again, though when I weigh in again. Today I hit the 75 pound mark and *chuckles* people are still thinking I am ‘huge’…. I am not so sure I agree with that, but, imagine that those that own the snac….er… Chiwa-wa’s that weigh in under 2 pounds would think that I am ‘large and in charge’…. but when in reality, we are just big softies and that was so seen in my new friend, “Zatura” the Giant Malamute.

It’s getting warm here in our area so please, just a VERY friendly reminder, don’t leave us in car’s not matter for how long, nor walk us across hot cement in the heat of the day. If you must leave us, leave us inside if you can and if not, make sure we have plenty of shade, and water supply to keep us cool. Too many of my furr BFF’s die every year from neglect and heat and this could be prevented. Treat your pup’s like you would treat your children, or an elderly parent, and if you can’t do either… I suggest you find them a new home that will take care of them.

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It hasn’t quite reached my area yet, but just in case, I think I will forgve Ma for not taking me to the doggy park any time soon. It seems there is a flu bug that is coming around and can be highly contagious for us pups…

There is ANOTHER shot that Ma can get me, so going to check into it see if I can get it and be safe..

And in doing more reading over Ma’s shoulder we also found this amazing article and website called “Dogs Naturally” a magazine dedicated to the health and news regarding my K9 cousins.

Right now they have a nice discount for their magazine at 45%, but their article is VERY interesting and gives a huge insight to the vaccine’s, sickness of the H3N2 Flu epidemic and how to help identify, keep your other pets healthy as well as ways to help your pet stay healthy.

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Around here, Mother’s Day is a somber time. My Ma seems to find little to rejoice in knowing that her own Momma is gone and it seems that she is torn at times in her grief. Some of it because of anger about things gone very wrong many years ago, and then she smiles a time or two remembering some of the fun and jolly times. Today I struggled to be the comfort to her and as much as I wanted to attend dinner to meet my Uncle, she wouldn’t let me. I know I am a handful at times, but that will happen soon, I am sure.

Early wee hours of the morning she woke up (earlier than most) as it seemed she couldn’t sleep and sat down at her usual spot and began catching up. Before I knew it, she was in tears. I couldn’t help her so much, but I know she found this and thought it would be appropriate to share for her and to others that struggle with such a significant day:

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As most of you know cancer has run rampant in the family in which I live now. Sampson, who succumb to it in December of 2014 was just one of many who have left the family due to the big “C” and because of it, they are diligent about making sure that they identify early signs of it on any of their beloved animals that might show any of the following signs. Here are 10 visual and identifiable signs of potentially cancerous cells that could become quite helpful in helping you identify this killer of furr-babies:

Abnormal growths and swellings – Keep an eye on areas around the face, nose, and shoulder areas (as well as other areas) for “nubs” and “Growths” that might appear in your dogs. Have them checked out right away to see if these are benign or malignant. A good vet will tell you not to just “watch it” for growth, but to have it removed and biopsied.

Soars and wounds that don’t heal – Even after treatment of antibiotics, these wounds may not even show signs of improvement. Make sure to monitor and document these when they occur and to not let them go unattended.

Unexplained weight loss – The older dogs become, the easier it is to let them put some weight on, but its the weight loss that you need to watch for. This means that at some point, despite them eating, the nutrients are not getting to the vital areas they need it and they are dropping weight.

Loss of Appetite – This of course goes hand in hand with #3 above. What we can’t see might be tumors that are blocking intestines and making it painful for our babies to eat and digest food properly giving them no appetite.

Difficulty swallowing – Is your dog having a hard time drinking, or enjoying their favorite treats? A tumor could be blocking this normal behavior and making it difficult to swallow or eat properly. Keep an eye on them and watch them during a normal meal and get them to the vet if you see choking, or gagging on their food often.

Unexplained bleeding from orifices – Blood from their snout, gums, and even in their feces could show signs of a serious problem. Get them to the vet immediately.

The foul odor – tumor can open and give way to infection. Bacteria can easily find its way into an open wound and tumors is no exception. A foul odor can indicate infection and should be treated right away before it invades other vital organs.

Reluctance to play/loss of stamina – Older dogs will still want to play, and perhaps not play near as long as they used to, but watch them closely as if their desire leaves them completely, this could be another indication that cancer is keeping them in pain.

Stiffness of joints of lameness – A family member Goliath had a sign of cancer but was mistaken for arthritis. He refused to put his right rear leg down and run on it. Despite the fact that he was ultimately lovable, playful and still active, the cancer had invaded his hind quarters.

Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating – This could show signs of stress, duress or even tumor’s making it difficult to do either of these life giving activities. Panting when it is a comfortable temperature was an indication of Sampsons condition and his inability to get comfortable.

I have heard Ma speak of the days leading up to Sampson’s departure and can only hope that my brothers and sisters all over had as much compassion as Ma did (despite how difficult of a decision it is). Human actions to help ease dogs out of what is a painful and other wise inhospitable quality of life is not easy, but it is the most loving position a human can make for their best friend.

Please keep your eyes on your pets, monitor their health and remember to take them in every 6 months for their check ups whether they need it or not. This will help with early detection and treatment of a killer…. Love your pets, fight the cancer.

(Note: I would like to thank my Vet for this great information. If you have any more questions, please consult your local veterinarian, as I am far from certified to give advice on treatment *woof woof!*)

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